Sir Kenny Dalglish: When they move on, it’s vital kids pick the right club

The summer transfer window is going into overdrive.

With it, some of Scotland’s emerging crop of talent is moving to pastures new.

Calvin Ramsay moved to Anfield from Aberdeen last month, with the Dons receiving a record transfer fee.

Aston Villa recently snapped up both 16-year-old striker, Rory Wilson, from Rangers and Kerr Smith, who’s just a year older, from Dundee United.

And at Hibernian, Josh Doig has been attracting interest from several European clubs, and could well move to Hellas Verona in Serie A this week.

So looking at the quality of youngsters coming through in Scotland right now, I think our game is in a good place.

In the past few years, we have seen Kieran Tierney and Billy Gilmour come through the ranks at the Old Firm to move to massive clubs in the English Premier League.

Aaron Hickey also made a name for himself at Hearts as a 16-year-old, and joined Bologna two years later. And now he’s the latest Scot to join the Premiership after his £17m move to Brentford.

Andy Robertson took a route from Queen’s Park to Dundee United and on to Hull City before landing his transfer to Liverpool.

He is now one of the most accomplished left-backs in European football.

Nathan Patterson will hope to put his injuries behind him and follow suit at Everton after leaving Rangers in the previous window for a substantial fee.

Of course, the financial terms are important for the selling club that will have nurtured a talent through the ranks.

But the young player should also take into account the type of football club they are moving to.

That’s why Calvin Ramsay – who has an injury concern right now – moving to Liverpool is a great one for him. Jurgen Klopp has shown that if you have the talent, then a pathway to the first team will be provided.

Calvin might play in the Carabao Cup this season for the first-team, or he might not. But he will train every day with some top professionals, and that will bring his game on leaps and bounds.

I’m sure there will be many teenagers at various clubs around the country looking at all of these guys and using them as motivation to get to the very top.

Alex Lowry decided to extend his deal with Rangers, and right now he is in Portugal, with a chance to show Giovanni van Bronckhorst that he is ready to step up and play regular first-team football.

He showed on a few occasions last season that he is talented and has a good mentality. He now needs to move that up a level, and that’s exactly what he’ll be trying to do.

Rangers, and Celtic, look to sell their players when the time is right and for the right fee. It’s part of their business model.

Sure, there will be no complaints from anyone when you have someone such as Callum McGregor, who wants to stay there for as long as the club wants him.

On the other hand, they accept when the time comes to let a star move on from the youth ranks, such as Kieran to Arsenal.

Around 15 years ago, Hibs produced half-a-dozen very good kids, and the likes of Scott Brown, Kevin Thomson and Steven Whittaker went on to have wonderful playing careers. Motherwell also brought through James McFadden, Stephen Pearson and David Turnbull.

Dundee United had a golden period seven or eight years ago, with Ryan Gauld, Stuart Armstrong, John Souttar and Gary Mackay-Steven.

There are many, many more examples at other clubs.

Clubs can’t deprive youngsters from moving on at some stage. It’s part and parcel of the game

You just have to enjoy them while you can, and get pleasure from seeing their growth and development as footballers and human beings. I hope there are many more youngsters ready to break through this season, and play in the Premiership.

They should be proud of themselves if they do.

And any parent, guardian or coach who has helped them along the way to reach first-team football should give themselves a pat on the back.

They have every right to also feel chuffed and proud, and a real sense of satisfaction.

After all, there wouldn’t be professional football if it wasn’t for people who take the boys and girls from an early age, and do it for the love of the game.